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Project title

Development and optimization of nickel-based electrode materials for innovative electrocatalytic green hydrogen production processes.

Primary Funding Agency

Irish Research Council

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland

Lead Organisation

University of Galway

Lead Applicant

Not listed

Project Abstract

Hydrogen is envisioned to play a central role as energy carrier in future decarbonized energy systems and grids as well as chemical processes. Currently hydrogen is mainly produced from the carbon-intensive steam reforming of fossil methane (grey hydrogen). Therefore, a technological shift is required to produce hydrogen with zero life-cycle carbon emission (green hydrogen). The current baseline technology for the production of green hydrogen is water electrolysis powered by renewable electricity. Unfortunately, this technology still suffers from the use of critical raw metals (iridium, platinum, ruthenium) as electrocatalysts, a high energy cost and the need for purified freshwater. To address the limitations, the partners involved in this proposal are developing innovative electrolysers operating with non-critical and efficient nickelbased electrocatalyst materials, and producing hydrogen from low-grade water sources or agricultural biomass wastes, thus improving the cost efficiency and competitiveness of the process. More specifically, Ulysses funding will be employed to fund the collaborative development of high efficiency nickel-based electrodes, in which nickel will be combined with other non-critical elements under an optimized nanostructured morphology. These novel electrodes will then be tested in a new generation of lab-scale electrolysers capable of producing hydrogen from seawater or biomass-derived platform chemicals.

Grant Approved

�5,000.00

Research Hub

Climate Change

Research Theme

3. Climate Solutions, Transition Management and Opportunities

Start Date

Initial Projected Completion Date